Action: Drontal Plus Tablets contain three active ingredients having different modes of action and spectra of activity. Praziquantel is active against cestodes (tapeworms). Praziquantel is absorbed, metabolized in the liver and excreted in the bile. Upon entering the digestive tract from the bile, cestocidal activity is exhibited1. Following exposure to praziquantel, the tapeworm loses its ability to resist digestion by the mammalian host. Because of this, whole tapeworms, including the scolices, are very rarely passed after administration of praziquantel. In many instances only disintegrated and partially digested pieces of tapeworms will be seen in the stool. The majority of tapeworms are digested and are not found in the feces.

Pyrantel pamoate is active against hookworms and ascarids. Pyrantel pamoate acts upon the nematode's cholinergic receptors to result in spastic paralysis. Peristaltic action in the intestinal tract is then able to eliminate the parasite2.

Febantel is active against nematode parasites including whipworms. Febantel is rapidly absorbed and metabolized in the animal. Available information suggests that the parasite's energy metabolism is blocked, leading to energy exchange breakdown and inhibited glucose uptake.

Laboratory efficacy and clinical studies conducted with Drontal Plus Tablets demonstrate that each of the three active ingredients act independently of one another without interference. The combined tablet formulation provides a wide spectrum of activity against the indicated species of intestinal helminths.

Use Directions

Dosage: The presence of parasites should be confirmed by laboratory fecal examination. Weigh the animal before treatment. Administer the proper dosage as specified in the following table as a single oral treatment.

Drontal Plus Tablets For Small Dogs

Body Weight

No. of Tablets

(kg)

(lb.)

1.0 - 2.2

2 - 4

0.5

2.3 - 3.2

5 - 7

1.0

3.3 - 5.5

8 - 12

1.5

5.6 - 8.2

13 - 18

2.0

8.3 - 11.5

19 - 25

2.5

Drontal Plus Tablets For Medium and Large Dogs

Body Weight

No. of Tablets

(kg)

(lb.)

11.8 - 14

26 - 30

1.0

15.0 - 20

31 - 44

1.5

21.0 - 25

45 - 60

2.0

26.0 - 33

61 - 74

2.5

34.0 - 40

75 - 90

3.0

41.0 - 47

91 - 104

3.5

48.0 - 55

105 - 120

4.0

Administration: Drontal Plus Tablets have been developed for oral administration. Tablets may be given directly or offered in a small amount of the food. Fasting is neither necessary nor recommended prior to or after treatment.

Precaution: Clients should be instructed in the measures to be taken to prevent reinfection with intestinal cestodes and nematodes.

Contraindications

Not for use in dogs weighing less than 1kg (2 lbs). Do not administer this drug to breeding animals or to animals kept for breeding purposes.

Results obtained in the laboratory and clinical studies indicate small numbers of hookworm or roundworm eggs may be passed in the feces for up to 7 days after treatment although the worms themselves were eliminated. A follow-up fecal examination should be conducted 2 to 4 weeks after treatment to determine the need for retreatment.

Side Effects

None of the 103 dogs treated with Drontal Plus Anthelmintic Tablets in the clinical field studies exhibited drug related side effects.

Animal Toxicology: Controlled safety evaluations have been conducted in dogs with Drontal Plus (praziquantel/pyrantel pamoate/febantel) Broad Spectrum Anthelmintic Tablets. Dogs receiving up to 5 times the label dosage (35 mg praziquantel, 35 mg pyrantel pamoate and 179 mg febantel per kg of body weight) for 3 consecutive days (3 times the label duration) showed clinical signs of vomition. No adverse trends were observed in hematology/clinical chemistry parameters nor were there any treatment related abnormal histological findings. Vomition was the only side effect when dogs received a single treatment of 61 mg praziquantel, 61 mg pyrantel pamoate and 305 mg febantel/kg.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the Drontal Plus (Small Dogs) information published above. However, it remains the responsibility of the readers to familiarize themselves with the product information contained on the Canadian product label or package insert.